Château GRILLET 2017
Château-Grillet is both an appellation and a producer in France's Rhône Valley. It was one of the very first appellations created in France, and it is one of only a small number of French appellations to hold just a single producer. At just 3,5 hectares in size, it is also one of the smallest estates in France.
The winemaking history of Château-Grillet goes back to the 3rd Century, and the notoriety of the estate and its wines can be traced throughout the ages – for example, Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais, the first wife of Napoleon I, had around 300 bottles of Château-Grillet in her wine cellar. Château-Grillet was made a national heritage site in 1976, and in 2011, was bought by François Pinault, who also owns Château Latour.
The vineyard is located in the Northern Rhône, just south of the famous village of Condrieu. Like Condrieu, Château-Grillet is planted to Viognier, which thrives on the well-drained soils. Vines are planted over 76 stone terraces, or chaillées, in an amphitheatre-like shape. The south-facing slopes enjoy ample sun during the growing season.
Every stage of the vineyard work is carried out by hand. Each parcel is pressed and vinified individually to preserve the characteristics specific to each terrace. The wines are then aged in French oak, approximately 20% new, and the final blend is carefully crafted from these barrels.
Any wine that does not quite match the requirements for the Château-Grillet is made into a Côtes-du-Rhône wine.
